Event Educates DFW Teens On Distracted Driving

FRISCO (CBSDFW.COM) – Hundreds of teenagers are expected to gather Saturday at Stonebriar Centre Mall in Frisco, in the hopes of winning a car and a $100,000 grant for their school.

The program is called ‘Celebrate My Drive,’ and the goal is to educate first-time drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and drinking alcohol while driving. Eleven local schools are participating in the event. The school that gets the most registrations wins the grant money, while the winner of the car will be selected randomly in a drawing.

One of the highlights of the event are driving simulators, which will help teens see the potentially deadly results of distracted driving. “One of our goals,” said Officer Brad Merritt with the Frisco Police Department, “is to make all the teenagers aware of all the distractions that they have when they’re driving, especially a new driver.”

State Farm Insurance has launched the program, which is being held in 400 other cities this weekend. State Farm spokesman Gary Stephenson said that the number one cause of death among teens is car wrecks. “We need to raise awareness to try and help reduce the numbers and save lives,” said Stephenson. “That’s what this is all about, saving lives.”